The recent death of Frank Borman, commander of Nasa’s Apollo 8 mission in 1968, has reignited interest in the incredible first voyage to the Moon, which took place eight months before Apollo 11’s historic lunar landing.
The impact of Apollo 8’s “Earthrise” picture, depicting the sight of the Earth from the Moon, now seems to be even greater than that of the first landing. The crew of Apollo 8, which included Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders, captured the iconic image during their mission.
Despite initial reports that the crew were caught off-guard by the Earthrise, recent research has revealed that the astronauts were in fact prepared for the moment. Detailed documentation from Nasa’s archives sheds light on the extensive planning that went into capturing the Earthrise image.
After entering lunar orbit, the crew missed seeing the Earth until the fourth orbit, when the capsule finally flipped around 180 degrees to point forward. This unexpected sighting led to the iconic image that has since become a symbol of our planet’s fragility and beauty.
In addition to the Earthrise, another unforgettable event during the mission was a reading by the crew from the Book of Genesis, broadcast to the world at Christmas. Borman’s careful planning and preparation for this message resulted in a profound and moving moment that left a lasting impact on those who heard it.
The historic significance of Apollo 8’s mission is evident in the attention to detail and planning that went into capturing these dramatic moments. While the Earthrise photo and Genesis reading may have appeared spontaneous, they were the result of careful deliberation and professionalism.
The legacy of Apollo 8 and the contributions of Frank Borman, as well as his fellow crew members, continue to resonate with the world, serving as a reminder of the awe-inspiring achievements of space exploration.
This article was written by Robert Poole, Professor of History at the University of Central Lancashire and is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.